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Kovalchuk leads Devils in rout of Canadiens

Feb 6, 2011 - 11:28 PM Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - Ilya Kovalchuk scored twice and Johan Hedberg made 14 saves in place of an injured Martin Brodeur, helping the New Jersey Devils record a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Brodeur started in net and stopped 11 shots through the first period, but suffered an apparent knee injury while dropping to the ice as he moved into position to make a save. Hedberg took over in net at the start of the second period.

Travis Zajac totaled a goal and two assists for the Devils, who rebounded from Friday's overtime loss to Florida.

"We played really well," Kovalchuk said. "We moved the puck well, and the (defense) helped us offensively."

Carey Price allowed three goals on 29 shots for the Canadiens, who had won three in a row. P.K. Subban scored Montreal's lone goal.

The Devils took control by scoring two early goals. Dainius Zubrus got them on the board thanks to a turnover behind the Montreal net. Patrik Elias poked the puck away from Canadiens defenseman Hal Gill, and Zubrus gained control before sending a backhand by Price at 1:12.

Kovalchuk tipped in Colin White's point blast at 4:04 to make it a 2-0 game.

New Jersey increased its lead at the 3:16 mark of the second period, when Zajac wristed in a loose puck.

A little more than three minutes later, Subban blasted in a slap shot from the point during a Montreal counter-rush.

But that was the only goal Hedberg gave up, and he stopped all 10 shots he faced in the third period. Kovalchuk scored on an empty net with 1:21 to play, though appeared to merely hit the right goalpost as Subban hooked him from behind. It was ruled a goal and secured the Devils' win.

"I could have easily let him go and not hook him," Subban said. "I don't know. If that's the call, that's the call. I was just trying to get back and not quit on the play."

Game Notes

New Jersey has won two of the three matchups between the clubs so far this season...Kovalchuk has recorded at least one point in every game in February...Price had stopped 64-of-66 shots over his last two starts, both wins.